Yay, I'm back! Wow, I must say I was quite overwhelmed when I came back and found so many reviews! Thank you so much! I love reading all of your thoughts about how it's going. Seriously, if you guys don't like how it's turning out (like how much Harry's being a jerk) I'll tork it a little so you'll all like it (as long as it fits into the general sceme of things). But anyways, here's another post. For all of you who've been hating Harry in this story, you'll like this one; if not, don't worry, he'll come around :)

Real quick, I had a very good question that I'd like to address. I was asked if Severus and Hermione were still under the marriage law to have regular sex, and the answer is no. I kind of hinted at it in the first chapter, but Severus thought to take advantage of having a wife every once and a while, and Hermione is afraid to say no. I never clarified Hermione being scared, but she doesn't want to give Severus any reason to go to the Ministry and have her given to another wizard.

Anyways, after that long rant:

None of the characters are mine. I just love messing with their imaginary lives :)

Hermione inconspicuously checked her wrist-watch and stifled a yawn. It's a new record... Harry's been talking about Quidditch for three hours.

Harry took her to a fancy muggle restaurant. He said he didn't want the entire magical world to know he was out of hiding. Hermione had no idea what the name of the place was—she didn't speak Italian—but as she looked around the place, she doubted she could afford whatever she ordered.

Also, she wasn't quite sure how to handle the situation. She didn't want to tell Harry she was expecting again. Not to sound unloving, but Essie Ann was the result of forced sex and Harry called her spawn. What would he say if he found out Severus tended to take up certain husband privileges?

So when Harry suggested wine, Hermione insisted on having water. "What's wrong Hermione?" he had said, "Still the goody-goody as ever." Then she had to fight the morning sickness as some of the smells in the restaurant were making her ill. Not that Harry noticed she was just pushing her food around on her plate rather than eating it.

Finally Hermione couldn't hold in another yawn. Her eyes were already watering from holding so many in. Surprisingly Harry noticed. "Oh, I'm sorry, 'Mio—Hermione. I haven't been able to talk about Quidditch with anyone for a long time."

It was more like talking to, rather than when, but she kept that thought in her head. "That's what happens when you disappear for six years."

He winced. "It's going to take a while for you to forgive me for that, isn't it?"

"If I ever do," she shrugged nonchalantly and pushed her plate away. "I'm curious though. Why did you leave?"

"Well the marriage law—"

"So there was no witch that had caught your eye? What about Ginny? I thought you two were pretty close before we graduated."

"I wanted to get married on my own time. We help rid the world of Voldemort and the Ministry treats us like their breeding stock!" He realized his voice had gotten quite loud and looked around at the curious glances. "What—what happened to Gin?"

"Is she married?" Harry nodded. "Yes." Strangely it felt good to see Harry suffer. She added more fuel to the fire, "Neville petitioned for her. They have four children with two more on the way: Alice, Lucy, Mary, and Danielle—but they call her Danny. They're expecting twin boys and they're going to name them Frank and Fred after Neville's father and Fred Weasley." Putting one more thing to hurt Harry she said, "I've never seen her happier."

Harry dropped his face to hide his anguish but when he looked up he was smiling weakly. "Neville always liked her. He'll take good care of her." He was silent a moment before asking about their other friends.



She went through each of their friends. Most of their classmates married someone from work or some went back to their Hogwarts girlfriend/boyfriend. Charlie petitioned for someone in Romania. Percy already had plans to marry his Hogwarts girlfriend, Penelope. George, although very unwillingly, ended his bachelorhood and married one of the other vendors at Diagon Alley. As for Ron, she never received an invitation, but she read in the paper he married one of his fans named Brigitte. Luna was petitioned for by one of the writers for the Quibbler. "And of course, Draco paid off the ministry so he wouldn't have to get married." It hurt to talk about her friend she had hurt so much. "I hope he finds someone soon."

"Malfoy? Who cares about the ferret?" Harry snorted as he finished his glass of wine.

"I do. Everyone else was so busy with their lives I had nobody to talk to. Draco was shunned from all his connections and we became really good friends. He's Essie's godfather."

"Draco is your kid's godfather?! What's this world coming to?" Harry studied his empty wine glass for a moment before finally getting to what he came out of hiding for. "Actually, 'Mione, there's a reason I went to you first."

Hermione felt a pang of panic in her lower abdomen. "What?"

"This law is finished with now, and you're no longer required to stay married to Snape." He stood up from his seat and moved next to her chair before kneeling down on one knee. Gasps could be heard from around the restaurant as everyone stared at the strange couple. "You're my best friend, and I made such a mistake leaving you when you needed me most. But let me make it up to you. Let me save you from the dungeon bat. Let me take care of you... and little Emily. 'Mione, marry me?"

It took all Hermione had to control her temper. "First of all, my daughter's name is Esther, not Emily. Second of all, what makes you think I need saving from Severus? What makes you think I want to leave him? I love Severus. Want to know something else? I'm pregnant with his child. So I guess you'll have to deal with more Snape spawn in the world." She grabbed her handbag and stood forcefully. Inwardly grinning when she heard the giggles around the room and when she saw Harry's embarrassed and shocked face. "When, or if, you ever learn to grow up, you can come visit me and my family, but until then, I want you to leave me alone." With that, she marched around Harry and found a secluded spot to apparate home.

She slowly made her way back to the dungeons to her family pondering the whole while if she made the right decision. Part of Harry's stupidity was due to being a hermit for more than six years. It was bound to take a little while for him to become acquainted with civilization again. Should she have accepted his proposal?

True Severus has been acting strange the past week, but who knows what could be the reason. Over the years sometimes Severus would have his affectionate moments, but they never lasted long. Is this just another one of those times? If so, how long will it be before he goes back to being heartless and uncaring?

Before she was ready, she was in front of her quarters. She went through the door, not sure what she would encounter, but what she saw was not what she expected. Severus lay on his back on the couch, 

one arm brushing the floor as it had slipped off. His other arm was wrapped securely around their daughter as she lay sprawled on his chest.

Hermione slowly approached them, not wanting to wake either of them. Seeing them like this washed away all of her previous doubts. Severus really was trying to change and be the head figure in their family. There was no way she could leave him now; she was in too deep.

Willing her tears away, she summoned her magical camera and took a picture of her husband and daughter. She knew Severus would ever allow her to take such a sentimental picture while conscious.

The flash of the camera was enough to wake him, though. He quickly took in his surroundings, Essie Ann, and Hermione. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Just a few minutes," her voice wobbled.

He heard it and slid Essie Ann to the couch so he could sit up. "What is it? What did Potter do?" Hermione kneeled in front of him and briefly told him about her dinner with Harry. "I knew he would do something like this. I'm sorry he upset you so much." He hesitantly raised his hand to wipe her tears.

"I'm not crying because of him." She smiled at his signature raised eyebrow. "Stupid hormones," she lowered her head to hide her tears. Severus pulled his handkerchief from his sleeve and raised her head to dry her cheeks.

"Daddy?" Essie Ann's hand made contact with Severus' back. "Is it time to get up?"

Severus smirked down at his daughter. "No, it's time for bed. Come on," he lifted her and helped Hermione to her feet. "I'll put her to bed. You should get some sleep too."

"Alright; goodnight."

"Goodnight." He turned to go down the hall, but something didn't feel right. He turned back to Hermione and leaned down to brush his lips against hers. "Goodnight, Hermione."

Hermione watched him go down the hall to Essie's room before she followed to go to her own. She entered her room, but it just felt cold and lonely. She quickly changed into her night clothes and braided her hair before quietly making her way to Severus' room. She knocked on his door hesitantly and waited for his permission to enter.

"Hermione, is something wrong?" Severus was sitting up against the headboard reading a book, but when she entered, he lowered the book allowing Hermione to see the dark hair scattered across his slim, pale chest.

"I was getting ready for bed when I realized I really don't want to be alone," she whispered.

Severus closed his book and set it on his nightstand table. He then flipped the covers back on the other side of the bed and said, "Climb in."

Hermione slid into bed next to him as she said, "Thank you."

"Nox." She felt the bed shift as he got comfortable, but she could tell he was just as tense as she was. Although they had shared a bed countless times during their married life, it was the first time they slept in the same bed with these new feelings and understanding. Neither said anything as they lay there stiffly.

"This is silly," she huffed.

"Quite."

"Goodnight, Severus," Hermione whispered as she rested her hand on his arm. Severus stiffened more only for a second before he relaxed completely. Soon he heard Hermione's even breathing indicating she had fallen asleep and he soon followed her.

Hope all is well! :)